U.S. Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) have introduced a bill prohibiting countries such as China and Russia from purchasing U.S. agriculture companies.
The Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act also ensures the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is fully involved in reviewing any foreign acquisition of American companies that may impact the nation’s agriculture sector.
The lawmakers cited recent reports of China acquiring domestic farmland and agriculture companies being a cause for concern on foreign influence in American agriculture.
In the wake of a Chinese-owned company’s recent purchase of farmland near the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, lawmakers have raised national security concerns regarding the convenience of monitoring air traffic flows in and out of the base in consideration of the Grand Forks, North Dakota Air Force Base being home to domestic military drone technology.
“China’s efforts to influence American agriculture threatens U.S. security – this bill is common sense,” Johnson said. “We have experienced numerous black swan events in the past few years, and we can’t risk allowing our adversaries closer access to our food and supply chains.”
The legislation establishes the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to consider agriculture needs when determining national security.